Gaming Licence Transfer Trial Has Begun

BRISBANE, Qld., Australia (April 4, 2023) — The Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR) has listened to feedback from the industry and is currently trialling new measures to help improve the efficiency of the licence transfer process.

The new measures aim to reduce delays often caused by the OLGR not receiving all of the necessary information to support a licence transfer application.

To streamline the process, approved gaming plans and revised risk-assessed management plans (RAMPs) can now be lodged with the OLGR after the licence has been issued rather than at the time of application in certain circumstances.

As part of the trial, conditions will be placed on the licence that will require the licensee to submit the RAMP and approved gaming plans to the OLGR no later than 60 days after the licence transfer is approved.

The trial for the lodgment of RAMPs will only apply where minor administrative changes are made (e.g. to reflect the new licensee entity as the party responsible for ensuring adherence to the RAMP’s provisions) and where there are no changes proposed to the business model.

If you are proposing to make changes to your existing business model, such as extending trading hours or making alterations to the premises, you will still need to submit a revised RAMP prior to the issue of a licence so the OLGR is aware that you have appropriate measures in place to address risks relevant to your venue.

The trial will run until July 2023, after which the OLGR will review the impact and effectiveness of the changes. The OLGR will be monitoring compliance with the licence conditions closely. The continuation of the relaxations will depend upon the licensees’ cooperation and compliance with the new licence conditions.

The OLGR reminds licensees that the best way to ensure their application is processed efficiently is to make sure a completed application is lodged with all required supporting documents in the first instance. This includes:

• fully completed application forms, including material required for police and creditworthiness checks
• ensuring documents are signed correctly
• ensuring sufficient information about associates or executive officers of the applicant is supplied.

SOURCE: Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation.